UPDATE: The Cardinals officially announced on Twitter that they have signed 31-year-old veteran infielder Mark Reynolds to a one-year contract. The team has not officially released the terms of the deal, although Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that the deal is worth $2 million and includes incentives based on playing time.
OFFICIAL: St. Louis Cardinals have signed infielder Mark Reynolds to a one-year contract.
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) December 12, 2014
Reynolds, 31, played in 130 games for the Milwaukee Brewers in 2014 and tallied 22 home runs and 45 RBIs, but also 122 strikeouts while posting just a .196 average. Neither the plus home run power nor the high strikeout total are anything new for Reynolds, who has averaged 32 blasts per 162 games over his eight-year MLB career, which includes time with the Diamondbacks, Orioles, Indians, Yankees, and Brewers, but also holds the all-time record for most strikeouts in a single season, with 223 back in 2009.
Capable of playing the corner positions — first base, third base, as well as left and right field — Reynolds started at three different positions for the Brewers this past season, and even made an appearance at second base for the Yankees in 2013. Reynolds could platoon with Matt Adams at first base, with Reynolds starting against lefties, if Adams does not improve against left-handed pitching. Reynolds’ ability to handle other positions as well certainly increases his value to the team.
Reynolds has been a steady power source no matter his exact role over the course of his career, as he is one of only six players in baseball to hit 20 or more home runs in each of the last seven seasons. When not starting, Reynolds will provide the Cardinals a veteran power bat off the bench, something the team has looked for in recent years but has been unsuccessful in finding.
Read more on the deal with Reynolds from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and MLB.com.
Article image used under Creative Commons from Keith Allison. No changes made. Creative Commons License.
Feature image used under Creative Commons from Keith Allison. No changes made. Creative Commons License.
